After the chaos that ensued within the Republican and Democratic parties this summer, American voters are having to rethink their votes in preparation for one of the nation’s most historic elections.
On June 28, the two leading candidates, current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, traded biting remarks on live TV. The opinionated and tense debate left critics and voters shocked and led many to believe that neither candidate is suited to run the country for a myriad of reasons: increasing age, criminal record, inability to help the economic situation, etc. Additionally, the turmoil between the two leading candidates increased divisions within the two parties and the social fabric of America. Many Americans found they were ready to abandon the two parties altogether and vote for independent candidates.
If Trump and Biden’s performance in the debate wasn’t enough to make Americans question where they stand, on July 21, President Joe Biden announced his formal withdrawal from the election, subsequently declaring his full endorsement of Vice President Harris as his replacement nominee. This abrupt change in power inside the Democratic Party left many constituents feeling worried and uncertain at first. Now, with more unknowns than ever, voting for third-party or independent candidates is a valuable opportunity for voters to change the course of the election that should not be taken for granted.
There are two main independent candidates leading in the election: the most popular being Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of American legacy John F. Kennedy, who is an outspoken anti-vaxxer and advocate for restitching America’s society back together. The next most Independent candidate is Cornel West, who bases his platform on prioritizing the working class by providing free childcare and a minimum working wage of $27/hour for everyone. These candidates offer hope to many by basing their campaigns on the needs of the American people who are often overlooked, a quality many voters find lacking in the Democratic and Republican candidates who are swayed by their largest donors and not the voices of the people. Furthermore, with enough support, third-party or independent voting could become a more trusted option in future elections, transcending the boundaries created by the current political parties that dominate and divide the country.
Not only can third-party or independent voting be used to promote new leaders who support the American people, but it can also be used as a form of ‘a voter rebellion’ to draw votes away from the Republican and Democratic parties. According to the Associated Press, left-winged Green Party candidate Jill Stein gained votes from a pool of voters in the 2016 election, ultimately affecting the votes in the race. This strategy could be implemented into the 2024 election.
Although some might believe that a third party vote might be useless or the equivalent of burning one’s vote, Americans, with enough votes, have the chance to alter elections for the better by potentially bringing more options and freedom of choice outside of the Republican and Democratic parties to the forefront of American politics. Creating a strong third party certainly cannot happen overnight because it requires the courage of all voters to come together and use a tactic that tips the balance against the two leading parties. However, what we can decide right now is whether America will join the fight.
